Impact of Domestic Violence on Quality of Life

and Life Satisfaction among Young Females in

Sialkot

By
Names: Chanda, Saba, Areeba, Kiran
Roll No.:11, 18, 30, 09
M.Sc.
In
Psychology
Session:2019-2021

Department of Psychology
GC Women University, Sialkot
Impact of Domestic Violence on Quality of Life
and Life Satisfaction among Young Females in
Sialkot

A project submitted to Department of Psychology in partial

fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of

Masters of Science

In

Psychology
By
Name: Chanda, Saba, Areeba, Kiran
Roll No.: 11, 18, 30, 09
Session:2019-2021
Supervised by:
Name:Ms. Salbia Abbas
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The completion of this research project could not have been possible without the participation

and supervision of group members and supervisor. Their contributions are sincerely

appreciated and gratefully acknowledged. However, the group would like to express their

deep appreciation particularly to the following:

Supervisor, Ms. Salbia Abbas for her great support, kind and understanding spirit during our

research project.

To all relatives, friends and others who in one way or another supported us, either

morally or physically, thank you.

Above all, to the Allah Almighty who is the author of knowledge and wisdom, for his

countless love.

We thank you.

M. Sc. Group 5
 APPROVAL CERTIFICATE

It is certified that research work contain in this project title “Impact of Domestic Violence on
Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction among Young Females in Sialkot” completed by
Chanda, Saba, Areeba and Kiran, their roll no. are 11, 18, 30 and 09 respectively, under my
supervision during their M.Sc. Psychology session 2019-2021.

Supervisor
Abstract:

The main objective of this research was to explore the impact of domestic violence on quality

of life and life satisfaction among young females in Sialkot. In this study we determined the

impact of domestic violence on married and unmarried females in Sialkot. In this research

both research methods were used i.e. 1.Quantitative to measure the severity of domestic

violence and 2. Qualitative to measure the quality of life and life satisfaction among young

females in Sialkot. The sample was selected randomly on internet due to COVID-19 lock

down from Sialkot. There were 105 participants in this research. Data was collected from

November 2020 to January 2021 by conducting survey and administering three validated

instruments 1) Severity of violence against women scale (SVAWS) to measure the severity

level of domestic violence, 2) Quality of life scale (QOLS) to assess quality of life and 3)

Satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) to assess the life satisfaction of females. The research

also collected the demographic, socio-economic, religion, education and marital status

information as well. Statistical analysis was done using a software i.e. Statistical Package for

the Social Sciences (SPSS-20). The alternative hypothesis was true because there is a major

difference between quality of life and life satisfaction among young females who experienced

domestic violence as compared to those who have not been experienced it. In SPSS

correlation analysis were applied to identify the association among variables. The results

indicate that there was the negative strong correlation between domestic violence and quality

of life i.e. r= -.837 and also there was negative strong correlation between domestic violence

and life satisfaction i.e. r= -.877. Whereas there was strong positive correlation between

quality of life and life satisfaction among young females in Sialkot. This undertaking presents

how beneficial it can be to use new strategies and approaches to resolve the problem of

domestic violence against women, associating it with quality of life and life satisfaction.

Keywords: Domestic violence, quality of life, life satisfaction, young females .

Introduction

Domestic violence is a sever problem with profound consequences for individual victims,

their children and their communities. The results of domestic violence are death, severe

injury, and chronic medical and mental health issues for victims, their children, the

perpetrators, and others as well. (Ganley, 1995)

Domestic violence is worldwide problem. Each third women throughout the world has been

beaten or abused in some other way; mostly by some one known, including her husband or

any other male or female.( Unicef, 2006)

The term “ quality of life” indicates two meanings: 1) The conditions considered mandatory

for a good life must be existing. 2) Intrinsically practice the life of ease.( Veenhoven, 1996 )

Satisfaction is a condition of mind that refers to both ‘enjoyment’ and ‘fulfilment’. It make up

for cognitive as well as effective-appraisal. Satisfaction can be both temporary and persistent

through time. ( Veenhoven, 1996 )

Life satisfaction is a level to which one positively judge all-inclusive quality of life. In other

words, how much one admires the life that one guides. ( Veenhoven, 1996 )

There are four kinds of satisfaction:1) Global life satisfaction (GLS) 2) Satisfaction with

housing (SH) 3) Satisfaction with finance (SF) 4) Satisfaction with social contact (SC).

Only the first kind global life satisfaction encounter the definition of life satisfaction. The

other kinds are “domain satisfactions”. ( Veenhoven, 1996 )

In a population based study in Finland “ Quality of life, psychological distress and violence

among women in close relationships” the focus of study was to identify the relationship

among exposure to violence, quality of life and psychological distress.

In study 22398 women were selected as sample. Information was collected by using:

1) Specific survey questionnaires for assessing the exposure to violence,

2) EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index to measure quality of life,

3) Mental Health inventory (MHI-5) to measure psychological distress.

The prevalence of exposure to violence in any type of close relationship among women was

7.6% in Finland. The scores of EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index and psychological distress were

significantly worse of women who had been exposed to violence compared with unexposed

women.( Hisasue, Kruse, Raitanen, Paavilainen & Rissanen, 2020).

In another study “ Identification of violence in teenagers: Female educators speech” the main

objective was to capture the factors that compromise the recognition of domestic violence

against adolescents. The sample consisted 20 females. Information was collected by the mean

of interview and the date was arranged in the Collective Subject Discourse. The results

indicate that there was the presence of body marks, behavioral changes and the impairment

of school performance. All these findings were perceived by a management that focused on

the customs of female educators in the process of recognizing and overcoming the problem.

( Cordeiro, Gomes, Estrela, Magalhães, Cruz, Silva, Santos, Oliveira, 2020)

Literature Review

The focus of study was to determine the relationship between domestic violence and factors

that are known as social and economic resources for women. There were 744 young married

women in sample selected from slum areas of Bangalore, India. Unadjusted and adjusted

multivariable logistic regression models were administered to identify factors associated with

being hit, kicked or beaten by one's husband in the past 6 months. According to the results

about 56% participants experienced physical domestic violence for ever and 27% participants

experienced violence in the past 6 months. Moreover, women in love marriages, those who

were asked for additional dowry after marriage, women who participated in social groups and

vocational trainings, experienced domestic violence more likely than others. (Rocca, Rathod,

Falle, Pande & Krishnan, 2008)

 The study was aimed to examine the relationship between witnessing domestic violence

during childhood and aggression among university students. There were310 males 54% and

females 46% in sample (age range= 18-30 years) approached through purposive sampling

method from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Data was collected through

survey by administering;1) Social Desirability Scale, 2)Childhood Exposure to Domestic

Violence Scale and3)Aggression Questionnaire, based on correlation and cross sectional

research design. Results indicate significant positive correlation between witnessing domestic

violence and aggression. (Feroz, Jami & Masood, 2015)

The focus of study was to identify the relationship among exposure to violence, quality of

life and psychological distress. In study 22398 women (aged 19-54 years)were selected as

sample from Finland. Information about past 12months was collected by using:

1) Specific survey questionnaires for assessing the exposure to violence,

2) EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index to measure quality of life,

3) Mental Health inventory (MHI-5) to measure psychological distress.

The prevalence of exposure to violence in any type of close relationship among women was

7.6% in Finland. The scores of EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index and psychological distress were

significantly worse of women who had been exposed to violence compared with unexposed

women. ( Hisasue, Kruse, Raitanen, Paavilainen & Rissanen, 2020)

The main objective of study was to analyze the association between domestic violence

against women and quality of life. There were 424 women (average age= 35) selected

through cross sectional sampling from city of Joao Pessoa. Data was collected from August

2013 to December 2015 by conducting population-based household survey and by

administering two validate d instruments 1)WHO VAW STUDY to estimate gender-based

violence against women and2) WHOQOL BREF for quality of life assessment, as well as a

semi-structured script containing demographic and socioeconomic information. Statistical

analysis was done using statistical software R (version 2.14.1).Results indicate an overall

prevalence of 54.4% of VCMD and a quality of life index (IQoL) of 61,59 (scale of 0 to

100). ( Lucena, Vianna, Nascimento , Campos & Oliveira, 2017)

The focus of study was to identify the impact of violence on mental health among university

students. The sample consisted of 502 Italian university students ( male and female). Data

was collected by self administered questionnaire. Results indicate that women reported

violence related health problems more than men. Moreover the health impact was similar for

males and females who experienced and witnessed family violence. (Romito and Grassi,

2007)

The objective of study was to investigate relationship between family dysfunction and

domestic violence with violent behaviour of university students in North Jordan. There were

47102 undergraduate students ( age 18- 26, male 59 & female 41)from three universities of

North Jordan. The study was carried out from October 2007 to February 2008. Data was

collected through a questionnaire, consisting 57 questions, approved byexpert panel.

Statistical Package for social science (SPSS) software was used for analysis. Results show

that 11.9% out of 1560 university students reported to participate in violent actions that

occurred in university. The university students who witnessed and exposed to domestic

violence were significantly associated with occurrence of violent actions p=0.004andp=

0.008 respectively.sAbout 16.5% out of 185 students who participated violent actions

reported that there families suffered from dysfunction. (Okour and Hijazi, 2009)
Research Question:

Is there any difference between the quality of life and life satisfaction of females who have

been experienced domestic violence and the females who have not been experienced it.

Hypothesis:

There is a strong relationship between domestic violence, quality of life and life satisfaction.

Methodology

Participants:

The sample was selected randomly on internet due to COVID-19 lock down from Sialkot. .

Data was collected from November 2020 to January 2021 by conducting survey and

administering three validated instruments. There were 105 participants in research. There

were 44.8% females who were married , 55.2% females who were unmarried. There were

26.7% females who were in age range 18-21 years, 24.8% females who were in age range 22-

25 years, 18.1% were 26-29 years old and 30.5% females were in age range 30-33 years. The

females who were uneducated 3.8%, 17.1% have done intermediate, 34.3% were graduated,

35.2% have done masters and females who have done M Phil were 9.5%. Mostly females

got 10k-50k Rs. income i.e. 62.9%. 60% of females were from rural areas of Sialkot and 40%

of females were from urban areas in Sialkot. The females who belonged to Muslim religion

were 85.7% and 14.3% of females belonged to Non Muslim religion. Most of the females

have 3 or 4 siblings i.e. 49.6%. Mostly females were with 2nd birth order i.e. 36.2%.

Design:

In this research both research methods were used i.e. 1.Quantitative to measure the severity

of domestic violence and 2. Qualitative to measure the quality of life and life satisfaction

among young females in Sialkot.

 Inclusion and exclusion criteria :

1. Married and unmarried females were included.

2. The females of age range 18-33 were included and the females with age below 18 and

above 33 were excluded.

3. The level of education below intermediate was excluded and above matriculation were

included.

4. Only females were included and males were excluded.

5. The females of all socio-economic status i.e. low, middle and high were included.

6. The females of all religions were included.

7. The females of rural and urban areas were included.

8. The females with different no. of siblings were included in research.

9. The females of all birth orders were included.

Measures:

In this research three scales were used to find out the impact of domestic violence on quality

of life and life satisfaction among young female university students.

1. Severity of Violence Against Women Scale (SVAWS)

The scale was developed by Linda Marshall in1992 and it has 46-items. It is used to measure

the severity of physical aggression against women by their male partners. In this research this

scale is used to assess the psychological effects of domestic violence and to assess the impact

of domestic violence on quality of life and life satisfaction among young female university

students. The Severity of Violence Against Women Scale (SVAWS) can be subdivided into

three subscales that vary in the degree of severity (i.e., threats of violence, acts of violence,

and sexual aggression). These scales can be further categorized into nine dimensions with

each item weighted for severity.

2.Quality of life Scale

This scale was developed by American psychologist John Flanagan in the 1978.In this

research this scale is used to assess different life domains of young female university

students. There are five versions of this scale as following:

2. Global Quality of Life Scale (1996)

3. Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (CDC, 2000)

4. World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHO, 2012)

5. McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (Cohen et al., 2019)

3.Satisfaction with Life Scale (SVAWS)

This scale was created by researchers Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin in 1985.In this

research this scale is used to assess the satisfaction of young female university student's with

their life as a whole.

Data analysis:

Statistical analysis was done using a software i.e. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

(SPSS-20). In SPSS correlation analysis were applied to identify the association among

variables. The results indicate that there was the negative strong correlation between

domestic violence and quality of life i.e. r= -.837 and also there was negative strong

correlation between domestic violence and life satisfaction i.e. r= -.877. Whereas there was

strong positive correlation between quality of life and life satisfaction among young females

in Sialkot.
Table 1

Demographic Characteristics of the Sample ( N=105)

Variables Categories f %

Marital Status
Married 47 44.8
Unmarried 58 55.2

Age Years
18-21 28 26.7
22-25 26 24.8
26-29 19 18.1
30-33 32 30.5

Education
Uneducated 4 3.8
Intermediate 18 17.1
Graduation 36 34.3
Masters 37 35.2
M Phil 10 9.5

Income Rupees
Below 10k 4 3.8
10k-50k 66 62.9
50k-100k 32 30.5
Above 100k 3 2.9

Geographic Data
Rural 63 60.0
Urban 42 40.0

Religion
Muslim 90 85.7
Non Muslim 15 14.3

Siblings
1 7 6.7
2 5 4.8
3 26 24.8
4 26 24.8
5 19 18.1
6 11 10.5
 7 6 5.7
8 3 2.9
9 2 1.9
Birth Order
1st 26 24.8
2nd 39 37.1
3rd 23 21.9
4th 9 8.6
5th 6 5.7
6th 2 1.9

Note: f = Frequency and % = Percentage

Table 2

Mean and Standard Deviation of scores ( N=105)

Scores of scales M S.D.

Severity of violence against women score 77.5905 83.31828

Quality of life score 64.6381 34.42386

Satisfaction with life score 20.4762 11.78175

Note: M = Mean and S.D. = Standard Deviation

Table 3

Correlation among the variables of Domestic Violence, Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction
among young female university students

Variables 1 2

Severity of Violence Against Women (SVAWS)

Quality of Life (QOLS) -.837**

Satisfaction With Life (SWLS) -.877** .898**

**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

Results:

The results indicate that there is a strong relationship among domestic violence, quality of life

and life satisfaction. The results show that the inter correlation among the variables of

domestic violence (SVAWS), quality of life (QOLS) and life satisfaction (SWLS) among

young female university students. Quality of life has negative strong correlation with

domestic violenceas r = -.837. Life satisfaction also has negative strong correlation with

domestic violence as r = -.877. In other words domestic violence has negative strong

correlation with quality of life and life satisfaction. Table also shows that there is strong

positive correlation between quality of life and life satisfaction as r = .898.The results also

show that the mean and standard deviation values for Severity of Violence against women

score are 77.5905 and 83.31828 respectively. The mean and standard deviation values for

Quality of life scale are 64.6381 and 34.42386 respectively. The mean and standard

deviation for Satisfaction with life scale are 20.4762 and 11.78175 respectively.

Discussion:

It can be observed in this study that domestic violence effects badly the women in all aspects of life

i.e. psychological, physical and social areas. The females who have been experienced domestic

violence possessed the poor and ridiculous quality of life and life satisfaction as compared to those

who have not experienced domestic violence. The results of the research also corroborates the data

released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which evidenced the absence of city immune to

violence. In a pioneering research that gathered data from 35 studies in 24 countries, it is determined

that there is serious public health problems due to the violence. In our research females who were less

educated, experienced domestic violence most often than those who were highly qualified or have

done M Phil. It indicates that there is also a relationship between education and domestic violence. In

this research the females whose income were moderate experienced less domestic violence and they

were satisfied with their lives . Although there were some cases who with low income have not

experienced domestic violence and were satisfied with their lives.During this research project we have
to face many problems like lack of respondents, etc. We wanted to research on a large sample but we

have to rely on 105 participants due to COVID-19 lock down. However, the hypothesis is proofed as

it is evidenced with results. Moreover the study can be useful to better the conditions of social

environment by reducing domestic violence and to improve the development of young females of

world.

Conclusion:

The study showed evidence of an association between domestic violence, quality of life and

life satisfaction among young female university students.

It is evidenced from the results that the alternative hypothesis is true. As the females who

experienced domestic violence possess low quality of life and life satisfaction as compared to

those who have not been experienced domestic violence.

This undertaking presents how beneficial it can be to use new strategies and approaches to

resolve the problem of domestic violence against women, associating it with quality of life

and life satisfaction. It also can stimulate debates and awaken new developments and future

possibilities
References:
1. Lucena, Vianna, Nascimento, Campos, 2017,Rev Lat Am Enfermagem,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Nascimento+JAD&cauthor_id=28591305

2 Okour, A. M., &Hijazi, H. H. (2009). Domestic Violence and Family Dysfunction as Risk Factor
for Violent Behavior among University Students in North Jordan. Journal of Family Violence, 24(6),
361-366. DOI 10.1007/s10896-009-9235-6

3. Romito, Grassi, 2007, Department of Psychology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy,

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953607002808

4. Feroz, Jami, Masood, 2015, Quaid-i-Azam University

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299132887_Role_of_Early_Exposure_to_Domestic_Violen
ce_in_Display_of_Aggression_among_University_Students/citation/download

5. Hisasue, Kruse, Raitanen, Paavilainen & Rissanen, 2020, BMC Women's Health volume 20,
Article number: 85 (2020) Cite this article
https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-020-00950-6#auth-Marie-
Kruse

6. Ruut Veenhoven, 1996, The study of life satisfaction, Chapter 1 in: Saris, W.E.,
Veenhoven, R. Scherpenzeel, A.C. & Bunting B. (eds) ‘A comparative study of satisfaction
with life in Europe. Eotovos University Press, 1996.
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this research project to our supervisor, Ms. Salbia Abbas, our class fellows, friends and our

families especially our sisterers, Amrina, Alina, Zainab, and our mothers the most.

Each of you has encouraged us to do our task effectively and provide us time to complete it timely

THANK YOU for your support and encouragement.